The national identity of any individual in history is not willed into existence by the individual concerned. It is also not willed into existence by any government on earth. On the contrary, the national identity of every individual is pre-determined by God long before the individual is born into the world. This national identity of a person is determined by who the parents of the individual are.
No individual born into the world can ever change his (or her) national identity into any other identity than that given by God through the individual’s parents. In this factual reality of life on earth, no individual can undo anything that God has predetermined him to be.
In other words, an individual can never born or re-born himself into anything else than what God had made him to be.
The Biblical and theological basis of this stupendous fact is most clearly stated in Acts 17:25&26 where it reads: “He (God) himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.” As for the unfolding of this plan of God, the details of the formations of nations can be found in the book of Genesis chapter 10. The Bible further reveals that saved individuals will enter heaven and eternity with their own national identities. This is found in Revelation chapter 21:24 where it is stated: “And the nations of them who are saved shall walk in the light of it and the kings of the earth shall bring their glory and honor into it.”
Under the present systems of the world, an individual can change his religion or even his name. But he can never change his national identity. There is also legal provision for an individual to have citizenship of two countries. But the individual’s country of origin and his original nationality will always be mentioned in the documents of his second dual citizenship. National identities are therefore unchangeable and immutable.
But even though national identity is such a stupendous fact of life, Nagas do not seem to be bothered about this reality. We seem to have chosen to become drifters and nomads in our own country-content to remain what others have defined us to be. There is also such a word called patriotism in the human language and vocabulary. But here again Nagas seems to be ignorant of that word or its implications for life on earth.
Where then are we headed to, fellow Nagas? Shall we continue to be defined by the 16 point Agreement or cling to Article 371 A as India’s most precious gift to us regarding our national identity? The ultimate question boils down to one of whether we shall be true to our God given Naga national identity or be faithful to India and her so called gift of artificial Indian nationality? Both our political, as well as economic existence on earth, will be determined by how we respond to the two questions posed to every Naga in whose veins flow blood that is Naga.
